Mr Nordic

Visit the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, the Swedish warship that never saw the sea

The Vasa ship sank in the harbor in 1628 on the day she made her first voyage. The king who had the ship made was too vain and demanded that more gold and guns be placed, and that made the ship much too heavy. The ship was lifted up again for centuries, and was in almost perfect condition. Now the Vasa ship is the most visited museum in Scandinavia!

In the Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet) you will find the 17th century warship “Vasa”, the only remaining 17th century ship in the world. Despite, or probably thanks to, the fact that the ship has been at the bottom of the Stockholm harbor for 333 years, about 95 percent of it has been preserved. Decorated with hundreds of impressive wood-carved sculptures, the Vasa is a unique art treasure and the museum is one of the most popular attractions in Stockholm.

In the Vasamuseet you will become acquainted with the history of a 17th-century warship, from construction to rescue and conservation.

The shipwreck and the salvage

The powerful warship the Vasa released its bunches on August 10, 1628 to make its first voyage. Everything seems to be going well and as she slowly sails to the harbor mouth, her on-board guns fire a salute burst. But then fate strikes: due to a sudden gust of wind, the Vasa began to fall, but she managed to recover and rose again. A second gust of wind, however, ensured that the Vasa capsized, the water flowed into the opened gun gates. The Vasa sank quickly to the bottom of its own home port, without ever having left it.

After having sailed barely 1300 meters, the Vasa tipped through strong gusts of wind in such a way that water entered the ship.

333 years later, in 1961 the Vasa was salvaged, after it was found 5 years earlier by Anders Franzén. Franzén was a private investigator who had been searching for the Vasa since the early 1950s. Nowadays the Vasa can be seen in a specially built museum. In addition to the Vasa, the museum also houses a number of related exhibitions / exhibitions.

In addition to the ship itself, 14,000 loose wooden objects were recovered, including 700 wooden statues. These are subsequently preserved separately and placed back in their original location on the ship.
In addition to the ship itself, 14,000 loose wooden objects were recovered, including 700 wooden statues. These are subsequently preserved separately and placed back in their original location on the ship.

The Vasa in the museum in Stockholm

The Vasa is in the middle of the museum. Several floors have been built around the ship, which is more than 50 meters high. There is an exhibition on every floor, from the construction of the ship to the salvage and everything in between. There are objects to admire, animations of the sink, fake images that show the original colors, reconstructed crew members and a scale model in color.

The Vasa garden is located at the rear of the museum. Here you will find information about the vegetables, flowers and medicinal herbs used by the Vasa crew and Swedish farmers.

From every floor you have a view of the Vasa, so you can view almost all around the ship. The grandeur of the ship is impressive and the exhibitions reinforce this feeling. Unfortunately it is not possible to look into the ship.

Practical information about the Vasa Museum in Stockholm

The Vasa Museum is located on Djurgarden Island, within walking distance of Stockholm’s Old Town.

Opening hours

The museum is open from 8.30 am to 6 pm in high season. Check the website of the Vasa Museum for the current opening times. Make sure you are there when the museum opens. An hour later there is a long line in front of the cash register, even far beyond the building. Inside the museum flows full of groups and it is over with a quiet look around. You may have fewer problems with this in the off season. With the StockholmCard you can enter for free.

Last Updated on July 31, 2019

Mr Nordic

Mr Nordic

I'm a passionate travel blogger captivated by Scandinavia's stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, and Viking history. I explore offbeat destinations in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, providing authentic insights into Nordic life. When not adventuring, I share my experiences, photos, and love for Scandinavian cuisine. Join me as I uncover Scandinavia's hidden gems and magic!

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About Mr Nordic

Mr Nordic loves the Nordic. He travels all around Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to find the greatest adventures, the most beautifull places and most exciting experiences. Here on mrnordic.com you can read all about it. From food to living and from outdoor to culture, Mr Nordic covers it all.